Distribution Installation in Linux

Lab Overview:

This hands-on lab allows you to gain experience in installing different distributions of Linux (i.e., CentOS 7 and Ubuntu 18). For CentOS, you will choose your base environment. Then you will choose the add-ons that provide the functionality you will need for each specific configuration (a basic server, a web server, and a developer workstation). Then you will set up the installation for an Ubuntu 18 basic configuration. The hands-on practice installing different distributions of Linux is ideal for Linux system administrators.

Understand the scenario

You are a Linux system administrator for your company. You need to install four new systems within your environment: three configurations of CentOS and a basic configuration of Ubuntu 18. You will be guided through all the configurations required to set up each installation. To save time, it is recommended that you skip the actual installation, as each one will take several minutes to complete.

Install CentOS 7 using the Server with GUI package

In this task, you are provided a virtual machine and the installation media for CentOS 7. You will ensure the media (DVD drive) is connected, and then you will recycle the system to boot into the installation DVD for CentOS 7. This lab will guide you through the different configuration options for setting up a basic CentOS 7 server. The basic configurations that you will set include:

• Time zone configuration
• Language support and keyboard options
• Installation source (the location of the software to be installed)
• Software selection (CentOS 7 has several base OS and add-on options to choose from)
• Installation destination (which disk and partition you want to install the OS)
• Network and hostname configuration

The configuration that you will be guided through will result in the installation of a GUI-based server environment, with File and Storage Server and MariaDB Database Server add-ons. These are common configurations that you would need to set up a basic server with CentOS 7.

Configure the installation options for a Linux web server

Leveraging the experience that you will gain from the previous task, you will now set up a different CentOS 7 configuration. You will learn the configuration settings to apply for a web server. You will choose the Basic Web Server as your base environment; then, you will select common add-ons for this type of server: Debugging Tools, PHP Support, and Perl.

Configure the installation options for a Linux developer workstation

For the third configuration of CentOS7, you will choose a different base and new options for installing common components of a developer’s workstation. You will choose the Development and Creative Workstation base environment, then include the Development Tools, Emacs, and Python add-ons.

Configure an Ubuntu 18 basic installation

In this section, you will learn how to perform a basic Ubuntu 18 installation. You are provided a virtual machine and the DVD media, containing the ISO (operating system disk image) for the installation. You will be guided through the configuration settings and options to perform the installation. The basic configurations that you will set include:

• Install or test the software
• Updates management
• Installation destination (which disk and partition you want to install the OS)
• Time zone settings
• User account creation

The configuration that you will be guided through will set the stage for a basic Ubuntu 18 installation. You may install the software at this point or interrupt the installation. The installation may take up to 10 minutes to complete and is not required to complete this lab.

Lab Summary

In this hands-on virtual lab, you will learn how to configure and install three variations of CentOS 7 and one basic installation of Ubuntu 18. Understanding this process and performing these tasks are essential skills for a Linux system administrator. The lab will guide you through the process as you learn these new skills.

Other Challenges in this series

• GUIDED CHALLENGE: Configure and Use GUI Administration Tools in Linux
• ADVANCED CHALLENGE: Can You Configure Kickstart Installations in Linux